States Lax in Enforcing IDEA, Study Asserts

By Joetta L. Sack

Washington

States are failing to enforce the nation's primary special education law, leaving students with disabilities and their parents spending personal time and money to fight for an adequate education, a federal report charges.

The long-term study on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, released last week by the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency, looks at the law's implementation since its passage in November 1975. Every state, according to the researchers, is negligent in complying with at least some provisions of the IDEA.

"Noncompliance has persisted in some states over many years, placing enormous burdens on children and families," said Marca...